It’s that time of year where kids are preparing to go back to school. In Alcoa, they are going back earlier than anyone else.

“Our summers are abbreviated compared to school systems that you might think run a more traditional school calendar,” Alcoa High School Principal Caleb Tipton said.

Alcoa City Schools’ official first day of school is July 19, but Tipton said this actually helps his staff.

“In a lot of ways, it keeps your people fresh,” Tipton said.

The Director of Schools, Rebecca Stone, said the shortened summer also helps out the students.

“A lot of times, when you come back the first of the school year, you will do a refresh for the first couple of weeks,” Stone said. “You don’t have to do that.”

The school schedule also allows for the high school to operate with a block schedule. This means students have fewer, but longer, classes each semester.

“It’s a huge benefit because I don’t have to worry about planning a 20 or 30 minute lab. I can do a 70 minute lab and go into a lot more depth with students and show them what were trying to discover,” science teacher Alex Taylor said.

While it is different than what they may be used to in other schools, Principal Tipton said they are looking ahead.

“That’s what they are going to need to be used to for the most part when they leave us and go to post secondary,” Tipton said. “A lot of your courses are going to be around the 90 minute mark.”

Officials said they hope this helps the student’s attention spans for college, or for a 40-hour work week.

“You know, being able to train yourself, within that allotted time, to focus on your task,” Tipton said.

Also, being able to take breaks when needed.

“Go hard for a nine week period of time and then give a break,” Stone said. “And then they come back fresh again. That’s always a benefit to kids, that’s always a benefit to students.”

Summer break is quickly approaching its end as the start of the school year is right around the corner for East Tennessee schools.

When does school start again for other East Tennessee schools systems? Start dates for East Tennessee school systems can be found below in alphabetical order:

• Alcoa City Schools: 7/19, staggered start
• Anderson County Schools: 8/5, staggered start
• Blount County Schools: 7/31
• Campbell County Schools: 8/8
• Claiborne County Schools: 8/7
• Clinton City Schools: 8/2
• Cocke County Schools: 8/2
• Cumberland County Schools: 8/7
• Fentress County Schools: 8/5
• Grainger County Schools: 8/5
• Hamblen County Schools: 8/2
• Hancock County Schools: 8/1
• Jefferson County Schools: 8/6
• Knox County Schools: 8/8
• Loudon County Schools: 8/5
• Lenoir City Schools: 8/5 – 8/6 Orientation, 8/7 1st full day
• Maryville City Schools: 8/5 staggered start
• McMinn County Schools: 8/2
• Monroe County Schools: 8/12
• Morgan County Schools: 8/1
• Roane County Schools: 8/2
• Scott County Schools: 8/2
• Sevier County Schools: 8/8
• Union County Schools: 8/7 staggered start

Story courtesy of WVLT